Reading ability is essential for college success and is why SDSU offers the course Reading Strategies (READ 145). All students may take this course to brush up on their reading and study skills; however, students with an ACT score of 17 or less are required to take the course. Placement is first determined using ACT, SAT, or 11th Grade Smarter Balanced English Language Arts/Literacy scores that have been taken in the last five years. Placement can be challenged by taking the ACCUPLACER examination and obtaining the cutoff score below. This placement may be challenged twice and there is an $20 charge plus $3.50 RegisterBlast fee for each challenge. You can find study resources for ACCUPLACER Reading online.
The SDSU Reading Placement policy is also posted online.
| Placement | ACT Reading | ACCUPLACER Next Gen | Classic ACCUPLACER (Retired 1/29/19) | Smarter Balanced English Language Arts/Literacy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Read 145 Reading Strategies | 1-17 | Reading 200-260 | College Level Reading 1-84 | 0-2582 |
| Requirement Met | 18-36 | Reading 261+ | College Level Reading 85-120 | 2583+ |
Transfer Students: The requirement to take READ 041 will be waived if a student transfers in a comparable three (3) credit reading course with a grade of RS or C (or equivalent) or better. Transfer students with 30 or more credits completed and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above at the time of transfer are exempt from completing the remedial reading course (regardless of ACT/SAT scores). Contact the Testing Center for the Transfer Student Exemption Form.
Register for an ACCUPLACER Exam
Note: The Testing Center can only accept payment in cash ($20 bills and smaller) and checks made out to SDSU.